Local News
in Boise, ID (showing 1 - 9 out of 9)

If Idaho resort communities grow too big, local option taxes might be at risk Several Idaho towns have seen their populations rise in recent years, but like any growth spurt, those expansions have been accompanied by an awkward phase or two. While growth typically brings with it the benefit of a broader tax base, some Idaho towns could instead end up losing revenue, depending on the results of the all-important 2020 census. For example, officials in the North Idaho city of Sandpoint are nervously eyeing growth projections that could jeopardize their access to local option taxing. Sandpoint is one of 14 Idaho cities allowed to use local option taxes. Originally implemented by the state in 1978 as a tool for counties with populations of 20,000 or less, LOT authority was refined in 1984 to benefit communities with populations of 10,000 or less. In particular, the LOT authority was intended to benefit resort communities and the state statute allows for qualifying cities to implement taxes on hotel stays and/or by-the-drink liquor sales. In effect, a good portion of the tax burden is shifted to tourists. But Sandpoint is rapidly approaching the LOT population limit of 10,000, at which point it no longer qualifies for resort city revenue. The artificial population cap is contrary to the voice of our voters and is not in the best interest of our residents, businesses and visitors, wrote Sandpoint City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton in a recent analysis, adding that the community is at real risk of losing LOT revenues. In 2010, Sandpoints population was measured at 7,457. The 2017 estimated population was 8,390, and based on city data, Stapleton believes that number will only grow higher. Our own estimates, based on city utility and housing vacancy data, project that our city population will likely pass the 10,000 resident resort-city threshold in the 2020 census, she wrote. If not that year, then definitely within the next one to two years. Sandpoint isnt the only resort city in danger of losing the revenue mechanism. The Wood River Valley community of Hailey is also creeping toward the population cap. Haileys 2010 population was 7,960, and it climbed to 8,282 in 2017. According to Hailey City Administrator Heather Dawson, that citys officials arent immediately worried about crossing the line by the 2020 census. That said, she added that Hailey is keeping a close eye on growth patterns because losing LOT revenues would be debilitating. Our local option tax changed the way we are able

On staying 9 years old, loss, recovery and Robert Mueller For the record, interviews really dont make me nervous. Perhaps its the decades of interviewing everyone from Nobel Prize winners to serial killers, but more likely its the fact that the truth is the truth. All that said, when I was invited to interview Chelsea Handler in front of a standing-room-only audience at the Sun Valley Film Festival, I felt the proverbial butterflies. While I immediately said yes, I reminded myself that Handler doesnt suffer any fools and is, more often than not, the smartest person in the room. Simply put, I knew I had better bring my A game if I was going to sit a few feet away from one of quickest wits on the planet. Before the event, publicists offered me an advance copy of Life Will Be the Death of Me, Handlers full-on, emotion-packed memoir. The book, which will hit bookshelves Tuesday, April 9, is devastating and unlike anything Handler has written before. Then came March 14, the date of my in-the-spotlight conversation with Handler on the stage of the Argyros Performing Arts Center in Ketchum. Its a major understatement to say I had over-prepared for the moment. I stepped into the spotlight, was greeted with polite applause, and began my from-the-heart introduction. I spoke of Handlers wildly popular television shows, her five bestselling books, her unbridled honesty and her newfound, heartfelt desire to share her path toward healing. Its an unforgettable book, I said, building to her big introduction. And its title is... Then, it happened. Every ounce of blood in my body rushed to my head, muscling out any brain cells from my cerebellum. And the title of this jaw-dropping book is... I paused, then blurted out, The title is Death Will Be the Life of Me. I felt myself turn white. My eyes froze, I forgot to breathe, and in the nanosecond after the words crossed my lips, I knew I had botched the title of the book. ITS CALLED LIFE WILL BE THE DEATH OF ME Handler screamed from just offstage. The audience burst into laughter, and my head hung so low that it practically detached from my body. Handler walked out to a thunderous ovation from the still-laughing audience as I begged for mercy. What followed was nearly an hour of tender, tearful, joyful, hilarious conversation that I will not forget anytime soon. Here are a few excerpts. In your memoir,

From Friday-Sunday, March 22-24, foodslingers Zac Clark and Derek Freitag will open their walk-up window in the Zen Bento storefront from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. during Treefort Music Fest. The self-styled dirty gravy boys of late-night biscuits and gravy pop-up GravEyard are at it again. From Friday-Sunday, March 22-24, foodslingers Zac Clark and Derek Freitag will open their walk-up window in the Zen Bento storefront on 10th Street from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. during Treefort Music Fest for what theyre calling Gravy Fort 2.0. Im doubling everything I have, and Im opening 30 minutes earlier that usual, said Clark, GravEyards chef/owner. Usually, the window opens at 9:30 p.m. and shutters at half past 2 in the morning. GravEyard has offered midnight revelers unconventional flavor combinations since 2017, when it first pedalled its non-traditional biscuits and gravy, mac-and-cheese and polenta poutine to tipsy ghost, ghouls and vampires on the downtown thoroughfare for Halloween. A year and a half later, the pop-up, which flings open its window sporadically on weekends, giving hungry fans a heads up through social media facebook.com/graveyard208 and graveyard208, nearly always sells out by nights end. Clark expects this years Gravy Fort to be an amplication of, rather than an exception to, that rule. Were pretty much running the same menu I always do, because if I add a special Ill probably be overwhelmed, Clark said. Its pretty crazy because last year the Gravy Fort event only had like 90 interested or going on social media and this year Im up to like 560 or something. For Gravy Fort 2.0, GravEyard will offer buscuit and gravy combinations like the Something Spicy topped with chorizo and chipotle gravy, plus mac and cheese, and gluten-free and vegan options. For local B&G aficionados and adventurous out-of-towners alike, GravEyard is a must-hit spot to curb the hunger pangs brought on by dancing at a midnight concert. Just be sure to get there before the grub is gone.

Stanford University is launching a new institute to study, guide and develop human-centered artificial intelligence technologies and applications. The mission of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence HAI is to advance artificial intelligence AI research, education, policy and practice to improve the human condition. The university-wide institute is working closely with companies acrosssectors, including ...

Brandon Farrell has joined T-O Engineers Nampa office as a staff engineer. He will be working mostly on municipal projects. Previously, he worked at the Meridian office. Trevor Robason has joined the Nampa office as a staff surveyor. He holds a bachelors degree in surveying and geomatics from Idaho State University and gained experience working ...

POST FALLS, Idaho AP Mikayla Butler is so good at selling Girl Scout Cookies, even the sweet-smelling candles in her house remind visitors that its time to put in their orders. The Post Falls High School junior and Troop 3008 Girl Scout reigned as the record-breaking, top Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern ...

A resolution passed through ASBSU banning E-Cigarettes and tobacco products on campus on November 18, 2018. This isnt the first time Boise State has attempted to ban tobacco on campus. ASBSU member, Makaela Bournazian, explained to an Arbiter reporter the reason for passing this policy is a comprehensive tobacco and e-cigarette policy in order to ...

Virtual reality VR is a tool that allows users to view a three-dimensional environment and interact with it. The technology is still new, but the applications are endless. For students in the gaming, interactive and mobile media program GIMM at Boise State, its a technology that is revolutionizing how we understand disabilities and illnesses. A ...

Although many ballet dancers begin at an early age, sophomore biology major Emma Casselman didnt start until she was 16. In an attempt to catch up with peers, who often had more than 10 years of experience over her, Casselman began spending more than 15 hours a week on practices. So much practice for a ...

Treefort week always lifts my spirits. Mostly because of all the reasons youre familiar with the music, the events, the food, the celebration of all things Downtown Boise. But Click to Continue

Emma Arnold never really thought about trying to make a career out of comedy until after a very unfunny moment in her life: the breakup of her marriage. She had Click to Continue

The developers who renovated Boises former Owyhee Hotel five years ago into todays The Owyhee have just sold it. LocalConstruct, a Los Angeles firm, and longtime Boise developer Clay Carley Click to Continue